6th Africa Agriculture Science Week opens in Ghana
The 6th Africa Agriculture Science Week (AASW), organized by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), in collaboration with the Government of Ghana, has opened in Accra.
A statement issued by FARA and copied to the Ghana News Agency, said President John Dramani Mahama was expected to open the Week on July 18 anchored by the theme: “Africa Feeding Africa through Agricultural Science and Innovation.”
Other sub-themes would be on education and human resource development, innovations to improve productivity and resilience, moving from competition to collaboration and innovative financing and investment in agriculture.
The statement said prior to the opening ceremony, side-events would centre on agriculture and rural development and recommendations presented during Plenary Sessions.
It said the topics were particularly relevant given that food and nutrition security remained key challenges in Africa, with a focus on home-grown food security and innovations that would enable Africa feed itself and improve livelihoods.
About 1,200 delegates including ministers of agriculture, science and technology, researchers, farmers, extensionists, civil society and development partners are expected to attend the ceremony.
During the launch, Dr Tiemoko Yo, Chairperson of FARA said: “The Science Week, and the range of events taking place during it, play a critical role in responding to burning issues in African agricultural Research and development.
“The recommendations emanating from the pre-plenary meetings, which will be presented at plenary will take center stage in shaping Africa’s agenda for food security, poverty reduction and economic development over the next three years and will also contribute to global initiatives for African development for the post MDG era”.
FARA is an apex organization bringing together and forming coalitions of major stakeholders in agricultural research and development in Africa.
It is a strategic platform that fosters continental and global networking to reinforce the capacities of Africa’s agricultural science and innovation community from research, education and training, extension and civil society engaged in agriculture.
Source: GNA